Shannon’s Story

Meet the Models: Shannon Bernhart

When Shannon Bernhart received her diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma on September 2, 2022, she was in the midst of planning for a joyful chapter in her life—she had just received the green light to pursue embryo adoption. The news of her cancer hit hard and fast, clouding a moment that was meant to be filled with hope and possibility. "I was pretty numb at first," she recalls. "And then I got angry. It took time to digest it all."

That anger and grief deepened when she learned, a month later, that her cancer was Stage 3B. Within two weeks, she had a port placed and began chemotherapy. She didn’t have the time or space to process—there was no option but to jump into treatment immediately.

Support from Near and Far

Even amidst the fear, Shannon was not alone. Her husband stood by her side as the treatment plan unfolded, helping her navigate the shock and rapid pace of decisions. Her sister flew across the country from Maryland to Montana to be by her side for her first chemo treatment—drawing on her own experience as a caregiver to offer calm and comfort.

While Shannon wishes she had more time to consider fertility preservation options, she was focused on survival. “I wish I had gone through egg retrieval,” she reflects. “But I wanted to just get it over with.” That determination carried her through surgery, where she ultimately underwent a bilateral mastectomy after learning the tumor had spread to her chest wall and lymph nodes.

A Community That Showed Up

Despite the weight of the diagnosis and the invasive treatments, Shannon found herself moved by the love of her small-town community. Her stepmother and friends made her a pink ribbon prayer quilt—an emotional moment that helped her accept the reality of what she was facing. “It was very surreal,” she says. “But it validated my experience.”

Then came the daily surprises—meals and gifts left at her doorstep, kind gestures from neighbors and friends that turned her home into a space of warmth and care. “It was like Christmas,” Shannon remembers. “I wasn’t expecting that at all.”

Words of Wisdom

Shannon now uses her voice to advocate for others walking a similar path. “It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. This is a new journey, and no one else can walk it for you. So keep people close who lift you up—and remember, this is about you. You have to fight this battle no matter what.”

Her advice for supporters is simple and powerful:

“Reach out and ask if they need anything. Tell them you’re rooting for them. Even if you’re scared or don’t know what to say—say something. Just showing up means everything, even if you’re not close enough to hug them.”

This year, Shannon steps onto the runway not only as a survivor, but as a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, community, courage, and connection can light the way forward.